Trump tears into Putin for being a 'problem' as he promises 'major' action amid fury at the dictator over Ukraine
Trump's comments came Sunday, the day before he meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday. Trump has teased that he'll make a 'major statement' on Russia this week.
The president declined to preview that statement when he spoke with reporters on Sunday, but he made his frustration with Putin clear and confirmed he was sending American weapons to Ukraine.
'Putin had really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice, and then he bombs everybody in the evening. It's a little bit of a problem there, I don't like it,' Trump said.
Putin has ignored Trump's call for a ceasefire and ratchet up his attacks on Ukraine, sending more than 500 drones and missiles almost daily. Trump, for weeks, has been showing his frustration with the Russian leader's refusal to stand down and come to peace talks.
Additionally, Trump confirmed that he's sending American weapons to Ukraine and claimed the European Union will pay for them.
'We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military. And they are going to pay us 100 percent for them. And that's the way we want it,' he said.
'I haven't agreed on the number yet, but they're going to have some. Because they do need protection. But the European Union is paying for it. We're not paying anything for it. But we will send it, and it'll be good news for us, we will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,' Trump added.
Meanwhile, his 'major' announcement on Russia is expected to come in his meeting with Rutte.
There has been much speculation as to what it could be.
Trump could announce he's sending Ukraine offensive weapons, including long-range missiles that could reach targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow, Axios reported.
The president is angry at Russia and ready to arm Ukraine, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, said.
'In the coming days, you´ll see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves,' Graham said Sunday on CBS' Face the Nation.
'One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump. And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there´s going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table.'
Trump could also embrace new sanctions on Russia, an idea European leaders have been pushing.
Europe and NATO also are pushing for Russia and Ukraine to come to the table.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is scheduled to Washington Monday for a meeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Berlin has offered to pay for Patriot systems for Ukraine and arming Kyiv is expected to be the major topic of conversation.
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Trump envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv.
The duo had 'a productive conversation' about strengthening Ukrainian air defenses, purchasing U.S. weapons, and sanctions on Russia, Zelensky said.
'We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ... ambitions are stopped by force,' the Ukraine president said in a statement.
June brought the highest monthly civilian casualties in Ukraine of the past three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 wounded, according to the UN.
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